Spring is here again and the road season starts with the National Road Relays in Raheny on the 19th of April and a week later on the 26th the National 10K road race follows, which this year is on in Navan. Both these races for the first time also feature a over 50s championship for the real masters. The over 50s races follow the same format as the over 35 races. This year we are holding trials in Nutgrove Park on Tuesday the 14th of April at 7 o'clock over distances of 3K and 1K. If anybody has a problem making this date and wishes to run the relays please call me on 087 9871749 and we can discuss another date to do a trial.

Well done to the Rathfarnham WSAF Seniors mens team of Sean Hehir, Barry Minnock, Paul Fleming and Gearoid OConnor who were 2nd team in the Dunboyne 4 Mile road race. Sean Hehir had a great run to finish in 5th place in a time of 19.28 and was followed by Barry Minnock in 6th place in a time of 19.37. Paul Fleming had a good run to finish in 9th place in a time of 20.01 and Geroid OConnor was 14th in 20.19. Jonathon Hughes was 23rd in 20.58 and John McHugh was 77th in 23.35. The race was won by Mark Christie of Mullingar in a time of 18.56 ahead of Vinny Mulvey of Raheny Shamrocks. Richie Corcoran of Raheny Shamrocks ac was 3rd in 19.12 and Raheny Shamrocks won the mens team prize.

In what can be described as a great day for the ladies the Ballycotton 10 miler saw a strong Rathfarnham team show their true colours. Donna Mahon continuing her splendid performances displayed a superb race finish and ran a fantastic race in true majestic style finishing in second place overall just behind Pauline Curley. Donna was also well inside the top 100 finishers in a smashing 1.00.28. Next home was Helen Leonard in 1.07.12. Zoe Melling was third home on the team and put in another great performance pacing very well to break the 70 minute mark finishing in 1.09.30 a PB for Ballycotton. Helen Ingram followed closely with another great performance again smashing the 70 minute in 109.58, another Ballycotton PB.Helen also won 1st prize in the over 50's age group. Brid Griffin put in a good effort and finished in 1.11.11 and following in her sisters footsteps, running in her Ballycotton debut with a great run was Norita Murphy who finished in 1.12.23.Well done to all.

Our senior ladies put in another fine performance in the National Inter-County Championship in Santry. The tough 8km European Championship course showed the strength and determination of a strong committed team. Our ladies won silver in the B grade. The team consisted of Donna Mahon, Caitriona Jennings, Aoife O Connor, Brid Griffin, Zoe Melling and Ciara Hassett. First home was the elite Donna Mahon putting in another super performance finishing in 10th position overall. Unfortunately, Caitriona Jennings was forced to pull out on the day. Aoife O Connor continued her cross country debut with a great run finishing well up and securing second place on the team. Another great run for Brid Griffin who's strength endured well over the distance was next home. Zoe Melling ran strongly and was fourth place on team. Ciara Hassett also managed well over the gruelling course was next home.Another super performance for our ladies who should be proud of the great abilities and talents displayed over the tough European Championship course.